Prince William faces the challenge of preparing to be both King and father
Prince George is steadily stepping into the role that awaits him as heir to the throne, while still living the life of a boy his age. On May 5, he joined his parents, Prince William and Catherine, along with King Charles, at Buckingham Palace for a tea honouring WWII veterans. Smartly dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, the 12-year-old won admiration with his calm composure and thoughtful questions, offering a glimpse of the poised leader he is becoming.
“This was the first sign of George taking on future duties,” royal editor Russell Myers told People. “Even though he is so young, he seems to have grown in confidence over the last couple of years.”
The appearance wasn’t just a proud parental moment but part of William and Catherine’s careful approach to gradually preparing their eldest son. “It’s a slow game, and it gets him used to it on the couple’s terms rather than anybody else’s,” a palace insider explained.
Now entering his teenage years, George is being gently introduced to the responsibilities that lie ahead. While his siblings often capture attention with their playful charm, George carries himself with quiet thoughtfulness. “He comes across as a serious chap,” said a palace source. “To have the world’s eyes on you, especially when you’re so young, is demanding.”
Yet away from the public eye, George is very much like his peers. He cheers alongside William at football matches, laughs with school friends, and takes pride in being a big brother. His balance of regal poise and youthful energy makes him both relatable and remarkable. “He does the right things at the right moment, as any 12-year-old would — and that’s all that matters,” added a source close to the family.
This summer has been centred on family, as Catherine continues to regain her strength nearly a year after chemotherapy. Soon George will return to Lambrook School for his final year, alongside Charlotte and Louis. The decision to send all three children to the same coeducational day school reflects William and Catherine’s modern approach to parenting. “That chimes with William wanting to do things in a more modern way,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith noted. “It’s a new direction, groundbreaking for the royal family.”
Still, one question looms large: where will George continue his education? Many expect him to follow in William’s footsteps at Eton College, the prestigious boarding school just a short distance from Forest Lodge, the family’s soon-to-be new home in Windsor Great Park.
The move represents more than a change of address. It reflects William and Catherine’s long-term vision of family life — a balance of tradition, stability, and a modern upbringing for the future king.
